Six-run second lifts Hops over Indians

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Except for a two-hitter against the Tri-City Dust Devils earlier in the week, Spokane Indians pitchers were at their stingiest on Friday night.That wasn’t good enough, however, as the Hillsboro Hops took advantage of Spokane’s sloppy play in the second inning to forge a 7-2 …

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Except for a two-hitter against the Tri-City Dust Devils earlier in the week, Spokane Indians pitchers were at their stingiest on Friday night.

That wasn’t good enough, however, as the Hillsboro Hops took advantage of Spokane’s sloppy play in the second inning to forge a 7-2 win at Hillsboro Ballpark.

Four Indians pitchers combined to hold Hillsboro to five hits, but Kyle Castro (0-3) absorbed the loss after a shaky second when Hillsboro patched together six runs with the help of three walks, two singles, one triple, one wild pitch and one hit batter.

The Hops didn’t have another hit until the seventh, but their pitchers limited the Indians to a two-run fourth. Hops pitchers struck out six consecutive Indians, starting with the end of the sixth.

The Indians’ fourth started quietly with two outs, but Ryan Cordell walked and Evan Van Hoosier singled to set up Alberto Triunfel’s two-run double to left.

Spokane also had two doubles in the second inning without scoring.

Spokane had won its three previous games in which its pitchers held the opposition to five hits or less.

The Hops (10-25), a first-year franchise, lead the five-game Northwest League series 2-0. Spokane is 18-17 with three games left in the season’s first half.

Spokane begins the second half of the season Tuesday at home against Vancouver.